Not sure if Courage Quest is for you? See what our graduates say . . .

You may have heard of Courage Quest and thought, “It sounds great, but I’m not sure that this is the right program for me.”  Here is what some of our graduates had to say.

I was only invited to come to this Friday and had no idea what we were going to be doing. I am a Community Advocate, working downtown and here in . . . with DV victims, almost all women. I do most of the 911 DV call-backs for . . . County and a lot of safety planning. I can promise you that what you and the others have taught me today will help hundreds of women – maybe even save a life. Thank you.

I was scared, but also found that I have a strength to draw on. I didn’t know it was there, having never been in a situation to test it. Just Thursday after escorting a DV victim to Protection Order Court, a batterer came looking for me in the building, trying to find out my name. It occurred to me that I could end up a victim too, if I wasn’t careful.

I learned some skills today that I hope to never use, but I will if I must. And I will pass on the new found sense of empowerment to as many as I can. Thank you, God bless you all.

JK, Community Advocate

---

Thank you ‘to’ all the caring people who put together the recent personal safety course. It was challenging, invigorating, touching and well-designed. I would recommend this course without reservation to anyone, and I expect my daughter to take it before the end of the year. It should be a mandatory course for all high school students so that they can gain the confidence needed to avoid violence and become the kind of peaceful warriors in such short supply in this world.

Thank you for facilitating this remarkable experience. –

-P. Nelson

---

You’ve given me the best gift of all – the ability to see my own strength. I’m not going to be paranoid anymore. Thank you so much.

–S

---

Thank you for the gift to know what to do in any situation – I feel so confident.

- LS

---

You’ve changed my life, helped me to conquer old ghosts. I have the “power”.

- LF

---

Thank you for the greatest life course ever!

- DS

---

I’ve been afraid to be alone so long I don’t remember what it feels like to feel safe. Now, with your help, I know I have the strength to protect myself. This was the hardest and best thing I have ever done for myself. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to know my own strength – I’ll never forget it!

- S

Our program is for anyone who wishes to be empowered.  You do not have to be physically fit.  All you need is a desire to learn.  To find out more, download our Courage Quest Flyer.

Sign up for our next Courage Quest class, call Ginny at (253) 495-2985 or contact us at ginny@safetyfirstpps.org, or download the application form.

Isshinryu Karate

At our Safety First dojo, we are honored to continue the teaching of Isshinryu Karate as handed down from Sensei Stephen Armstrong, who learned this style directly from the founder, Tatsuo Shimabuku.

Tatsuo Shimabuku

Tatsuo Shimabuku started studying martial arts at a very early age and in his lifetime, mastered many styles including Goju-Ryu, Shorin-ryu and various weapons.

He began teaching “Chan Migwha-te” (forerunner to Isshinryu Karate) to U.S.  servicemen after World War II.  It was during this time that Shimabuku began experimenting with new techniques to be quicker and faster.  He used kendo protective equipment during kumite (sparring).  He also started developing different ways to block and punch (most notably the vertical punch).

With the approval of his teachers, Shimabuku combined many techniques learned from those styles into his own style, and on January 15, 1956, officially announced the formation of Isshinryu Karate, meaning “One-Heart Way”, because according to him, “all things begin with One.”

An interesting note, Shimabuku’s chosen name of Tatsuo, means dragon.

It is by way of  Steve Armstrong’s original schools that our dojo has as its highest ranking belt, Bill Kortenbach, 7th Dan.

Can Your Children do This?

These young kids are defending themselves against abductors.  None of them are black belts, or police officers or in the military etc.   None of them are using illegal weapons of any kind.

Can you defend yourself like this?

Comment below and let us know!